PUBLIC–PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP INNOVATIONS FOR AQUACULTURE DEVELOPMENT WITH A FOCUS ON SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA
As part of the FAO Fisheries and Aquaculture Division’s ongoing efforts to reduce food insecurity and poverty by promoting sustainable aquaculture and fostering innovative public-private partnerships (PPPs). This report examines the current status, governance and management of PPPs in the aquaculture sector, highlighting related challenges, successes and opportunities, and to share knowledge and information on private investment and PPPs in aquaculture in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) and develop a roadmap for strengthening private investment and PPPs in the region. Its aim is to provide valuable information to governments, the private sector and development partners on the role, design and implementation of PPPs. The aim is to accelerate the development of aquaculture, particularly in regions where the sector remains underdeveloped, such as sub-Saharan Africa.
The aquaculture sector is a key contributor to global food security, employment and economic growth, but, in Africa, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa, the sector faces numerous challenges, such as limited access to financing, inadequate infrastructure and weak policy frameworks. Public–private partnerships (PPPs) have emerged as a promising model for addressing these challenges; they offer collaborative opportunities between the public and private sectors to leverage resources, expertise and knowledge.
Recognizing the importance of PPPs in aquaculture, FAO has commissioned a study to examine the state, governance and management of PPPs in the aquaculture sector and explore related challenges, successes and opportunities, with a focus on sub-Saharan Africa. The objective is to share information with interested governments, the private sector and development partners on the role, design and implementation of PPPs, with the aim of contributing to expediting aquaculture development where the sector is still unripe including in sub-Saharan Africa.
This report focuses on different PPP models, such as partnerships for innovation, technology and knowledge transfer, partnerships for value chain development and partnerships for infrastructure development, and highlights the role of government and stakeholder engagement in facilitating successful partnerships. Several case studies of successful PPPs in aquaculture are presented, including a partnership for the provision of laboratory testing services in Uganda; a partnership for fish production and certification in East Africa; and a partnership for linking wastewater treatment and aquaculture in Kumasi, Ghana.
The report indicates that sub-Saharan Africa presents investment opportunities for partnering with governments in infrastructure development, including road networks and energy supply systems, which can improve access to remote aquaculture sites and reduce production costs. Partnerships can also be established to build and/or maintain much-needed infrastructure, such as fish processing facilities, cold storage facilities and port facilities, as these facilities can improve efficiency and productivity in aquaculture.
Moreover, there is a need to upgrade farming technologies through investing in more knowledge and capital-intensive production systems; PPPs can play an important role in this regard. Accessing international markets requires certification of fish and fishery products. This is yet another opportunity for PPPs to provide testing and certification services.
Public–private partnerships hold great potential for enhancing the benefits of aquaculture in sub-Saharan Africa. However, the lack or weakness of regulations constitutes a bottleneck to the establishment of PPPs in aquaculture. Another significant obstacle is the existence of unclear guidelines, which can lead to uncertainties about compliance and hamper the success of partnerships. Additionally, the high costs of borrowing money, arising mainly from elevated interest rates associated with borrowing funds for PPP projects, pose a key challenge to PPPs. This issue is even more pronounced in the case of aquaculture projects because of limited knowledge among lenders and the inherent risks involved.
Moving forward, this report further identifies various promising opportunities for PPPs in aquaculture and recommends specific actions for governments and private sector entities to leverage these opportunities. Examples of actions include promoting knowledge sharing and collaboration among different stakeholders, facilitating access to funding and resources for innovative projects, and implementing regulatory frameworks that incentivize and support PPP initiatives.
Source : Murekezi, P., Habimana, O. & Menezes, A. 2024. Public–private partnership innovations for aquaculture development with a focus on sub-Saharan Africa. FAO Fisheries and Aquaculture Technical Paper, No. 713. Rome, FAO. https://doi.org/10.4060/cc9252en
